Aberdeen has pulled off a major coup after being chosen to host the
Scottish Parliament next May when the Church of Scotland return to the
Mound for their annual General Assembly.

A joint bid by the City Council and Aberdeen University has beaten those
from other areas to become the first place outside of the Central Belt
to stage Parliamentary business for a week.

City Council Leader Len Ironside said: “This is a massive vote of confidence
in Aberdeen by the Scottish Parliament. It not only demonstrates
that Aberdeen has the facilities to stage such a prestigious event but
it restores my faith about devolution.”

Councillor Ironside paid tribute to Aberdeen University for offering
their facilities to hold Parliamentary business - as the City Council’s
own chamber is too small to accommodate all MSPs and officials.

Principal C Duncan Rice, University of Aberdeen, said that he was delighted
that Aberdeen’s bid had been successful.

“The new Parliament holds the promise of a new political landscape for
Scotland. The Parliament has committed itself to having a presence
in every region of the country.

“I am honoured that the Scottish Parliament has agreed to come to the
University of Aberdeen, one of Scotland’s great ancient universities, with
an international profile.

“We worked closely with Aberdeen City Council in preparing the joint
proposal and are extremely pleased that this prestigious event will take
place in Aberdeen next year.”

Councillor Ironside said: “We worked together in partnership to pull
off this feat and there is a buzz of excitement that it is happening.
I praise the efforts of the university to ensure the bid was successful.”

He added that it had also been indicated that during the Scottish Parliament’s
visit some Aberdeen and North-east Scotland issues would be debated.
“This is another bonus to be welcomed,” he said.

The joint Council/University bid identified King’s College Conference
Centre as the meeting point for Parliament. The Conference and Visitor
Centre opened its doors in 1991 and in its first year attracted a number
of awards including a Certificate of Distinction in the ‘Come to Britain’
awards from Scottish Enterprise. There has also been a high commendation
in the category “Old Building Converted for New Use or Re-Use”.

The auditorium holds 150 delegates. Individual stations are fitted with
microphone, radio microphone and inductive loop system for those who have
difficulty in hearing.

The gallery can provide seating for 60 members of the public with short
term viewing of the proceedings. As it also extends behind the main
platform it provides excellent vantage points for TV cameras and additional
lighting as required.

Access for broadcasting vehicles can be gained to the back of the auditorium
with cable entry points to the chamber.

The joint bid also guarantees that ancillary facilities will be provided
for members and staff.

Councillor Ironside said that the decision to bring the Scottish Parliament
to Aberdeen was yet another boost in promoting the city. “We have
just completed Offshore Europe, which was one of the most successful exhibitions
for many years. Delegates from throughout the world were full of
praise for Aberdeen.

“This is yet another opportunity to showcase Aberdeen and the North-east.”

MEDIA RELEASE FOLLOWING HAS BEEN ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE SCOTTISH
PARLIAMENT:Aberdeen recommended to host Parliament in May 2002

The Scottish Parliament is set to meet in Aberdeen in May 2002 when
the Church of Scotland return to the Mound for their annual General Assembly.

The Parliamentary Bureau has recommended that the Parliament should
meet in the King’s College Conference Centre during the week commencing
Monday, May 27.

Announcing the recommended venue, Presiding Officer Sir David Steel,
who chairs the Bureau, said: "One of the Parliament’s key guiding principles
is the need for accessibility, and this does not just mean providing public
facilities in Edinburgh or the central belt.

“This is a Parliament for the whole of Scotland, and I hope that we
have demonstrated our commitment with committee meetings throughout the
country, including Galashiels, Dumfries, Stornoway and Inverness.

"The fact that our agreement with the Church of Scotland meant we would
be required to vacate the Assembly Hall again next May as we did in 2000
provides the ideal opportunity to meet outside Edinburgh.

"Our time in Glasgow in May 2000 was very successful, and showed what
is possible when the Parliament works in close co-operation with a local
authority. On this occasion, the Bureau felt we should go outside
the central belt. I am sure Aberdeen, if approved by the Parliament,
will prove equally popular and we are grateful to Aberdeen City Council
and the University of Aberdeen for the work they have already done preparing
a bid and co-operating fully with our officials.”

Background NotesThe Parliamentary Bureau has submitted a motion to Parliament recommending
that the Parliament should meet in Aberdeen in the week commencing 27 May
2002. It is for MSPs to decide whether to approve this motion tomorrow.

The Bureau has decided to recommend that, though the Assembly Hall Chamber
is likely to be unavailable for three weeks during the Church of Scotland’s
General Assembly, the temporary venue should be used for only one week.
The Parliament is likely to meet for three full days, giving committees
the opportunity to meet frequently in the other two weeks that we are out
of the Assembly Hall.

In considering the options for 2002, a specification of requirements
was compiled and based on the facilities and services provided in Glasgow.
Included was the need for a Chamber able to seat all MSPs and support staff,
suitable public viewing space and media seating. Venues had to be
secure, and office accommodation for MSPs, staff and the media was also
required.

This specification was issued to a number of interested local authorities
in April, and firm bids were received in relation to Aberdeen, Dumfries,
Dundee, Dunfermline and Glasgow.